Corruption in high places remained a dominant theme in Kenya throughout 2000. In January the government responded to the damning report on the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK) contained in the audit ordered by Richard Leakey as head of the Public Service by replacing almost every one of the board’s members. There was, however, stiff resistance from some of the large-scale coffee farmers, who had benefited from the corrupt practices of the board. Small farmers, on the other hand, stepped up their campaign to end the CBK’s monopoly on marketing, which they hoped would attract government support. An additional report, made public on February 24, indicated that the Kenya Tea Development Authority had been guilty of similar corrupt practices, claiming that for 10 years the authority had been systematically plundering the farmers’ earnings.

Leakey’s team was not uniformly successful in its campaign. Although it was able to curtail the powers of senior civil servants, bringing about the retirement of several of them, a proposal by the permanent secretary in the president’s office responsible for provincial administration that chiefs and subchiefs be abolished was blocked by the president himself under pressure from Leakey’s opponents. Similarly, an announcement by Leakey that there would be a reduction in the size of the army and police was declared null and void by an anonymous army officer.

The budget presented in June by the finance minister, Chris Okemo—based upon a stern analysis of the economic and social crisis—nevertheless appeared to confirm the government’s intention to crack down on corruption and to stimulate growth in the economy. Observers remained skeptical of the government’s ability to achieve its objectives, but late in July the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seemed to have been sufficiently impressed by Leakey’s endeavours and the government’s response to resume its aid program to Kenya, though subject to more rigorous conditions than had been imposed on any other country. Among its stipulations was the requirement that government ministers, including the president himself, MPs, senior civil servants, and the spouses of all, declare their assets and liabilities every year. In addition, the IMF declared that there had to be a law to ensure that public figures suspected of corruption were prosecuted and that IMF officials conducted a weekly inspection of Kenya’s central bank’s balance sheet.

The regulations were unpopular among the country’s elite but were recognized as essential if additional aid from bilateral donors was to be forthcoming. Opposition critics, however, believed they did not go far enough and called for a check upon the assets of other members of leaders’ families and on companies owned under other names.

Almost immediately, the IMF felt it necessary to review its restrictions because of the crisis resulting from the worst drought in many years. Kenya as a result had to import a large proportion of its food and also suffered curtailed power supplies throughout the country. In addition, fighting broke out among some of the pastoralists in the north over scarce water supplies for their animals.

In May, echoing events in Zimbabwe, an MP, Stephen Ndichu, caused consternation in the government and among white landowners by calling for the redistribution of idle land to landless Africans. This coincided with the occupation of a few white-owned farms by squatters. Moi, himself a large-scale landowner, responded firmly, stating that the government would defend private property.

Kenyan athletes turned in stellar performances during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Kenyan runners continued their dominance in the long-distance events. Noah Kiprono Ngenyi won a gold medal in the men’s 1,500-m race, defeating heavily favoured Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco. In the 3,000-m steeplechase, Kenyan runners placed first and second, with Rueben Kosgei taking the gold and Wilson Boit Kipketer claiming the silver. Eric Wainaina won the silver in the men’s marathon, and Paul Tergat won the silver in the 10,000-m race. Joyce Chepchumba earned a bronze medal in the women’s marathon event.